Lighting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A lighting apparatus includes an external controller, a first LED module, a second LED module, a rectifier, a power switch, a manual switch, a light housing and an allocation module. The external controller converts an external signal of an external wall switch to a light intensity signal. The external controller is coupled to the external wall switch. The wall switch is a continuous switch for a user to select a continuous value from a range. The first LED module and the second LED module emit lights of different color temperatures. The rectifier for converts an AC power to a DC power. The power switch is coupled to the rectifier for generating a driving current corresponding to the light intensity signal. The manual switch selects a color temperature setting.

FIELD

The present invention is related to a lighting apparatus, and moreparticularly related to a lighting apparatus with a flexible setting.

BACKGROUND

The time when the darkness is being lighten up by the light, human havenoticed the need of lighting up this planet. Light has become one of thenecessities we live with through the day and the night. During thedarkness after sunset, there is no natural light, and human have beenfinding ways to light up the darkness with artificial light. From atorch, candles to the light we have nowadays, the use of light have beenchanged through decades and the development of lighting continues on.

Early human found the control of fire which is a turning point of thehuman history. Fire provides light to bright up the darkness that haveallowed human activities to continue into the darker and colder hour ofthe hour after sunset. Fire gives human beings the first form of lightand heat to cook food, make tools, have heat to live through cold winterand lighting to see in the dark.

Lighting is now not to be limited just for providing the light we need,but it is also for setting up the mood and atmosphere being created foran area. Proper lighting for an area needs a good combination ofdaylight conditions and artificial lights. There are many ways toimprove lighting in a better cost and energy saving. LED lighting, asolid-state lamp that uses light-emitting diodes as the source of light,is a solution when it comes to energy-efficient lighting. LED lightingprovides lower cost, energy saving and longer life span.

The major use of the light emitting diodes is for illumination. Thelight emitting diodes is recently used in light bulb, light strip orlight tube for a longer lifetime and a lower energy consumption of thelight. The light emitting diodes shows a new type of illumination whichbrings more convenience to our lives. Nowadays, light emitting diodelight may be often seen in the market with various forms and affordableprices.

After the invention of LEDs, the neon indicator and incandescent lampsare gradually replaced. However, the cost of initial commercial LEDs wasextremely high, making them rare to be applied for practical use. Also,LEDs only illuminated red light at early stage. The brightness of thelight only could be used as indicator for it was too dark to illuminatean area. Unlike modern LEDs which are bound in transparent plasticcases, LEDs in early stage were packed in metal cases.

In 1878, Thomas Edison tried to make a usable light bulb afterexperimenting different materials. In November 1879, Edison filed apatent for an electric lamp with a carbon filament and keep testing tofind the perfect filament for his light bulb. The highest melting pointof any chemical element, tungsten, was known by Edison to be anexcellent material for light bulb filaments, but the machinery needed toproduce super-fine tungsten wire was not available in the late 19thcentury. Tungsten is still the primary material used in incandescentbulb filaments today.

Early candles were made in China in about 200 BC from whale fat and ricepaper wick. They were made from other materials through time, liketallow, spermaceti, colza oil and beeswax until the discovery ofparaffin wax which made production of candles cheap and affordable toeveryone. Wick was also improved over time that made from paper, cotton,hemp and flax with different times and ways of burning. Although not amajor light source now, candles are still here as decorative items and alight source in emergency situations. They are used for celebrationssuch as birthdays, religious rituals, for making atmosphere and as adecor.

Illumination has been improved throughout the times. Even now, thelighting device we used today are still being improved. From theillumination of the sun to the time when human can control fire forproviding illumination which changed human history, we have beenimproving the lighting source for a better efficiency and sense. Fromthe invention of candle, gas lamp, electric carbon arc lamp, kerosenelamp, light bulb, fluorescent lamp to LED lamp, the improvement ofillumination shows the necessity of light in human lives.

There are various types of lighting apparatuses. When cost and lightefficiency of LED have shown great effect compared with traditionallighting devices, people look for even better light output. It isimportant to recognize factors that can bring more satisfaction andlight quality and flexibility.

People expect to have more control over light devices. Sometimes theymay use remote controls or just mobile phones with corresponding apps.

However, if the structure is too complicated, the manufacturing cost isincreased. Therefore, it is important to provide a simple design withflexible configuration.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a lighting apparatus includes an externalcontroller, a first LED module, a second LED module, a rectifier, apower switch, a manual switch, a light housing and an allocation module.

The external controller converts an external signal of an external wallswitch to a light intensity signal.

The external controller is coupled to the external wall switch.

The wall switch is a continuous switch for a user to select a continuousvalue from a range.

The first LED module and the second LED module emit lights of differentcolor temperatures.

The rectifier for converts an AC power to a DC power.

The power switch is coupled to the rectifier for generating a drivingcurrent corresponding to the light intensity signal.

The manual switch selects a color temperature setting.

The light housing is used for disposing the light source set, therectifier, the power switch, the internal controller and the manualswitch.

The internal controller is coupled to the manual switch for convertingthe color temperature setting to a color temperature control signal.

The allocation module divides the driving current to the first LEDmodule and the second LED module according to the color temperaturecontrol signal.

In some embodiments, the color temperature control signal includes afirst PWM signal and a second PWM signal respectively corresponding to afirst current supplied to the first LED module and a second currentsupplied to the second LED module.

In some embodiments, the wall switch is a rotator dimmer switch.

In some embodiments, the power switch receives the color temperaturecontrol signal and further adjusts the driving current according to thecolor temperature control signal.

In some embodiments, an overall light intensity of the lightingapparatus is adjusted higher in a first color temperature than in asecond color temperature.

The first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature.

In some embodiments, an overall light intensity of the lightingapparatus is adjusted lower in a first color temperature than in asecond color temperature.

The first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature.

In some embodiments, the allocation module determines a first current tothe first LED module and a second current to the second LED moduleaccording to current to light intensity ratios of the first LED moduleand the second LED module.

In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include anintensity switch disposed on the light housing for a user to select adefault light intensity in a continuous range.

In some embodiments, the default light intensity is also transmitted tothe power switch for determine the driving current.

In some embodiments, the power switch has a rule module for determininga priority between the continuous value and the default light intensity.

In some embodiments, the power switch ignores the default lightintensity when the external converter transmits the continuous value tothe power switch.

In some embodiments, the range for selecting the continuous value by theexternal wall switch is between a first light intensity and a secondlight intensity.

The first light intensity and the second light intensity are both largerthan zero.

In some embodiments, the allocation module generates a first current tothe first LED module and a second current to the second LED module.

The first current and the second current are kept constant over time.

In some embodiments, the allocation module iterates supplying thedriving current to the first LED module and the second LED module.

The first LED module and the second LED modules are not turned on at thesame time.

In some embodiments, the light source set further includes a third LEDmodule and a fourth LED module.

The first LED module is a red LED module.

The second LED module is a green LED module.

The third LED module is a blue LED module.

The fourth LED module is a white LED module of a first colortemperature.

In some embodiments, the light source set further includes a fifth LEDmodule.

The fifth LED module is a white LED module with a second colortemperature larger than the first color temperature.

In some embodiments, the manual switch is also provided a user to set aneye-protection mode.

When the eye-protection mode is set, a current supplied to the blue LEDmodule is decreased with a predetermined level.

In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include a wirelessmodule.

The wireless module collects the light intensity signal and the colortemperature control signal for controlling a neighbor light device.

In some embodiments, the wireless module receives an external commandfor instructing the power switch to ignore the light intensity signal.

In some embodiments, the wireless module receives a color temperaturesetting from the neighbor light device.

The internal controller adjusts the color temperature control signalaccording to the received color temperature setting of the neighborlight device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a lighting apparatus embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a switch example.

FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit diagram as an example for implementing anembodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates another circuit diagram in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates another circuit diagram in the driver design.

FIG. 6 illustrates another circuit diagram for the driver designreference.

FIG. 7 illustrates another lighting apparatus embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 7, a lighting apparatus includes an external controller 602, afirst LED module 604, a second LED module 605, a rectifier 611, a powerswitch 610, a manual switch 615, a light housing 603 and an allocationmodule 609.

The external controller 602 converts an external signal of an externalwall switch 601 to a light intensity signal. For example, the lightingapparatus is a downlight device installed in a cavity or a junction boxin a ceiling. In addition to connect a power wire to the rectifier 611for supplying an AC power source, e.g. 110V AC power, an external wallswitch which is not disposed on the downlight device is also coupled tothe downlight device electrically to control the downlight device.

The external controller 602 is coupled to the external wall switch 601.

The external wall switch 601 is a continuous switch for a user to selecta continuous value from a range. For example, the external wall switch601 may be a rotator switch that users may rotate the rotator switch toselect any value among a continuous range, compared to a limited numberof discrete options.

The first LED module 604 and the second LED module 605 emit lights ofdifferent color temperatures.

The rectifier 611 converts an AC power to a DC power.

The power switch 610 is coupled to the rectifier 611 for generating adriving current corresponding to the light intensity signal. Forexample, the external wall switch 601 is rotated to a 80%, even thelighting apparatus may emit a 100% light intensity, the power switch 610lowers the overall light intensity to 80% of its maximum lightintensity. Users may select any other value, e.g. 45%, 20.45% or anyvalue.

The manual switch 615 is provided to users to select a color temperaturesetting. For example, users buy the lighting apparatus from a store.Users may need a warm light or a cool light depending on their needs.With such design, users may easily change the color temperature settingvia the manual switch.

The manual switch 615 may be disposed on an exterior surface of thelight housing 603.

The first LED module 604 and the second LED module 605 are belong to alight source set. The light source set may include more than two LEDmodules.

For example, in this example, the first LED module 604 is a red LEDmodule, the second LED module 605 is a green LED module, the third LEDmodule 606 is a blue LED module, the fourth LED module 607 is a firstwhite LED module and the fifth LED module 608 is a second white LEDmodule. The first white LED module and the second white LED module mayhave different color temperatures. With such design, the allocationmodule 609 dispatches corresponding currents to theses LED modulesseparately to mix a required color temperature.

With the arrangement of the five types of LED modules, the lightadjustment is found very nice to human eyes. Meanwhile, such arrangementalso provides a flexible architecture. For example, manufacturers mayselect different combinations to create different light devices fordifferent needs.

The light housing 603 is used for disposing the light source set, therectifier 611, the power switch 610, the internal controller 613 and themanual switch 615.

The internal controller 613 is coupled to the manual switch 615 forconverting the color temperature setting to a color temperature controlsignal. The signals are invisible and thus are not illustrated on thedrawings. However, with the components for sending the signals, thedrawings are sufficient for persons of ordinary skilled in the art tounderstand the description in the claims and the disclosure of thespecification.

The allocation module 609 divides the driving current to the first LEDmodule 604 and the second LED module 605 according to the colortemperature control signal. The dividing may be applied over time. Forexample, in a first time period, the current is supplied to the firstLED module 604. In a next time period, the current is supplied to thesecond LED module 605. Then, again, the current is supplied to the firstLED module 604 again.

In other design, the current may be separated into two separate currentsources separately supplied to the first LED module 604 and the secondLED module 605.

In some embodiments, the color temperature control signal includes afirst PWM signal and a second PWM signal respectively corresponding to afirst current supplied to the first LED module and a second currentsupplied to the second LED module.

PWM refers to Pulse Width Modulation. The PWM signal is a digital signalwith its duty ratio representing a control value. The internal converter613 may convert a setting of the manual switch 615 into multiple PWMsignals. The allocation module 609 or the power switch 610 may generatecorresponding currents to the first LED module 604 and the second LEDmodule 605 according to the multiple PWM signals.

In some embodiments, the wall switch is a rotator dimmer switch. Forexample, the rotator dimmer switch is rotated by a user to move to adesired position to determine a setting for the overall light intensity.

In some embodiments, the power switch 610 receives the color temperaturecontrol signal and further adjusts the driving current according to thecolor temperature control signal.

In some embodiments, an overall light intensity of the lightingapparatus is adjusted higher in a first color temperature than in asecond color temperature. In such case, the overall light intensity isadjusted with a predetermined level according to the required colortemperature.

With experiments, inventors find that some people like to increase theoverall light intensity in higher color temperature while some otherpeople prefers the opposite settings.

The first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature.

In some embodiments, an overall light intensity of the lightingapparatus is adjusted lower in a first color temperature than in asecond color temperature.

The first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature.

In some embodiments, the allocation module 609 determines a firstcurrent to the first LED module and a second current to the second LEDmodule according to current to light intensity ratios of the first LEDmodule and the second LED module.

In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include anintensity switch 616 disposed on the light housing 603 for a user toselect a default light intensity in a continuous range. In such design,there are two switches for users to set the overall light intensity. Oneis at a wall switch and the other is attached directly on the housing ofthe lighting apparatus.

In some embodiments, the default light intensity is also transmitted tothe power switch for determine the driving current.

In some embodiments, the power switch has a rule module 612 fordetermining a priority between the continuous value and the defaultlight intensity. For example, the rule module 612 may be a memory forstoring a table showing the priority order of multiple settings.

In some embodiments, the power switch ignores the default lightintensity when the external converter transmits the continuous value tothe power switch.

In some embodiments, the range for selecting the continuous value by theexternal wall switch is between a first light intensity and a secondlight intensity.

The first light intensity and the second light intensity are both largerthan zero.

In such design, even the rotator switch is close to zero position, themapping of the position may still be adjusted to a predetermined level.For example, the range may be between 60% to 100%, instead of 0% to100%.

In some embodiments, the allocation module 609 generates a first currentto the first LED module and a second current to the second LED module.

The first current and the second current are kept constant over time.Specifically, such design makes the output light not blinking, e.g.quickly turn-on and turn-off repeatedly.

In some embodiments, the allocation module 609 iterates supplying thedriving current to the first LED module and the second LED module.

The first LED module and the second LED modules are not turned on at thesame time.

In some embodiments, the light source set further includes a third LEDmodule and a fourth LED module.

The first LED module is a red LED module.

The second LED module is a green LED module.

The third LED module is a blue LED module.

The fourth LED module is a white LED module of a first colortemperature.

In some embodiments, the light source set further includes a fifth LEDmodule.

The fifth LED module is a white LED module with a second colortemperature larger than the first color temperature.

In some embodiments, the manual switch 615 is also provided a user toset an eye-protection mode. For example, the manual switch 615 has aon/off button.

When the eye-protection mode is set, a current supplied to the blue LEDmodule is decreased with a predetermined level. Blue light is thereforedecreased for meeting the need of a group of users.

In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include a wirelessmodule 614.

The wireless module 614 collects the light intensity signal and thecolor temperature control signal for controlling a neighbor light device617. In such design, only the lighting apparatus needs to be connectedto the external wall switch. Other lighting devices may share thesetting of the external wall switch and the manual switch of thelighting apparatus mentioned above. Such control expands to a groupcontrol from a signal machine control.

In some embodiments, the wireless module receives an external commandfor instructing the power switch to ignore the light intensity signal.

In some embodiments, the wireless module receives a color temperaturesetting from the neighbor light device 617.

The internal controller adjusts the color temperature control signalaccording to the received color temperature setting of the neighborlight device.

Please refer to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of the example mentioned above. In FIG.1, the lighting apparatus receives an external power source. The poweris converted and processed by the power switch 3. An internal converter1 and an external converter 2 respectively receives and handles a manualswitch and an external wall switch. The result of the light intensitydefined by the external wall switch via the external converter 2 isfurther processed and integrated by the internal controller 1.

The power switch 3 generates a driving current that is divided by theallocation module 4 to supply corresponding sub-currents to multiple LEDmodules in a light source set 5.

FIG. 2 shows a switch for selecting from five color temperatures, whichmay be an example of the internal converter working with a manualswitch.

FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 show a detail circuit example for implementingdifferent parts of the example in FIG. 1.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the techniques and their practical applications. Othersskilled in the art are thereby enabled to best utilize the techniquesand various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that variouschanges and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as beingincluded within the scope of the disclosure and examples as defined bythe claims.

1. A lighting apparatus, comprising: an external controller forconverting an external signal of an external wall switch to a lightintensity signal, wherein the external controller is coupled to theexternal wall switch, wherein the wall switch is a continuous switch fora user to select a continuous value from a range; a first LED module ofa light source set; a second LED module of a light source, wherein thefirst LED module and the second LED module emit lights of differentcolor temperatures; a rectifier for converting an AC power to a DCpower; a power switch coupled to the rectifier for generating a drivingcurrent corresponding to the light intensity signal; a manual switch forselecting a color temperature setting; an internal controller; a lighthousing for disposing the light source set, the rectifier, the powerswitch, the internal controller and the manual switch, wherein theinternal controller is coupled to the manual switch for converting thecolor temperature setting to a color temperature control signal; and anallocation module for dividing the driving current to the first LEDmodule and the second LED module according to the color temperaturecontrol signal.
 2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the colortemperature control signal comprises a first PWM signal and a second PWMsignal respectively corresponding to a first current supplied to thefirst LED module and a second current supplied to the second LED module.3. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wall switch is arotator dimmer switch.
 4. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein thepower switch receives the color temperature control signal and furtheradjusts the driving current according to the color temperature controlsignal.
 5. The lighting apparatus of claim 4, wherein an overall lightintensity of the lighting apparatus is adjusted higher in a first colortemperature than in a second color temperature, wherein the first colortemperature is higher than the second color temperature.
 6. The lightingapparatus of claim 4, wherein an overall light intensity of the lightingapparatus is adjusted lower in a first color temperature than in asecond color temperature, wherein the first color temperature is higherthan the second color temperature.
 7. The lighting apparatus of claim 4,wherein the allocation module determines a first current to the firstLED module and a second current to the second LED module according tocurrent to light intensity ratios of the first LED module and the secondLED module.
 8. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising anintensity switch disposed on the light housing for a user to select adefault light intensity in a continuous range.
 9. The lighting apparatusof claim 8, wherein the default light intensity is also transmitted tothe power switch for determine the driving current.
 10. The lightingapparatus of claim 9, wherein the power switch has a rule module fordetermining a priority between the continuous value and the defaultlight intensity.
 11. The lighting apparatus of claim 9, wherein thepower switch ignores the default light intensity when the externalconverter transmits the continuous value to the power switch.
 12. Thelighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the range for selecting thecontinuous value by the external wall switch is between a first lightintensity and a second light intensity, wherein the first lightintensity and the second light intensity are both larger than zero. 13.The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the allocation modulegenerates a first current to the first LED module and a second currentto the second LED module, wherein the first current and the secondcurrent are kept constant over time.
 14. The lighting apparatus of claim1, wherein the allocation module iterates supplying the driving currentto the first LED module and the second LED module, wherein the first LEDmodule and the second LED modules are not turned on at the same time.15. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source setfurther comprises a third LED module and a fourth LED module, whereinthe first LED module is a red LED module, wherein the second LED moduleis a green LED module, wherein the third LED module is a blue LEDmodule, wherein the fourth LED module is a white LED module of a firstcolor temperature.
 16. The lighting apparatus of claim 15, wherein thelight source set further comprises a fifth LED module, wherein the fifthLED module is a white LED module with a second color temperature largerthan the first color temperature.
 17. The lighting apparatus of claim16, wherein the manual switch is also provided a user to set aneye-protection mode, wherein when the eye-protection mode is set, acurrent supplied to the blue LED module is decreased with apredetermined level.
 18. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a wireless module, wherein the wireless module collects thelight intensity signal and the color temperature control signal forcontrolling a neighbor light device.
 19. The lighting apparatus of claim18, wherein the wireless module receives an external command forinstructing the power switch to ignore the light intensity signal. 20.The lighting apparatus of claim 18, wherein the wireless module receivesa color temperature setting from the neighbor light device, wherein theinternal controller adjusts the color temperature control signalaccording to the received color temperature setting of the neighborlight device.